Our wedding was at a winery at the end of the summer. After the ceremony, guests mingled outside and enjoyed the sun setting over the vineyards while sharing some bubbly and nibbles. My favourite aperitivo was elegant little brown paper cones filled with crisp, lightly-battered courgette flowers and sage leaves and deep-fried batons of polenta and pressed…
Archives for May 2016
Why you should visit Stresa
Within an easy hour-long drive from Milan’s Malpensa airport is a beautiful and relatively uncrowded holiday spot. The winding road off the motorway leading to Stresa takes a sharp left turn offering panoramic views of the glassy lake dotted with islands and boats, framed by the towers of handsome period villas. Palm tree-lined streets and…
A glimpse of summer: fresh peach tart
I know it’s only May. I can’t wait any longer. I’ll blame it on the changeable weather giving us a glimpse of the summer to come for a few hours on the occasional day. Peaches and apricots are starting to arrive this month but they are not yet sun-drenched, butter-soft and sweet-as-candy. They just don’t…
A quick and simple dish all children love: chicken Parmigiana
This recipe is a favourite with children the world over. We ate this dish with family friends on a scorching summer night in Modena. We dined in a town square watching the locals leaning out half naked from their windows desperate for hint of breeze. Between us we had 5 children who eagerly (and silently)…
Mid-week dinner: Pasta al forno (pasta with tomato and mozzarella)
Baked pasta dishes are typical for major holidays and occasions in Italy. Pasta al forno usually means lasagne in the north and medium to large pasta or wide tagliatelle layered with different sauces and ingredients in the south. This dish is vegetarian, easy to prepare and a favourite with young and old. When it’s baked,…